Key to My Heart: An Anthology of Sweet Romance

by Alice La Roux

  She caught the cliff lift down to the front and jumped on the open top bus for the trip along the beach. She could not help but notice her own disappointment as she realised there were no donkeys there today.

  Three hours later, hot and sweaty, she headed back to the café near the entrance to grab a cold drink. She was pleased with the way things had gone that morning, and drink in hand, she was lost in her own thoughts as she head back towards the cliff top area where she intended to sit and look out to sea while she skimmed through the morning’s photos.

  She almost walked into him, and his companion. He had smiled and said hello, his companion had glared at her. She had mumbled a greeting in return and then continued walking.

  Now she sat looking out to sea, questioning why it bothered her so much to see him with someone else. He was a stranger, and given how good-looking he was, it really shouldn’t have been surprising that he would have an equally gorgeous girlfriend.

  She didn’t hear him as he came up behind her, and as he lowered himself to the ground to sit next to her, she jumped, spilling her drink down her front.

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “It’s okay. Lost in a world of my own,”

  “Is it nice there?”

  She turned to looking at him and noticed concern in his blue eyes. For a moment, time stood still.

  She could almost hear Jasmine: kiss him.

  And for one second, she almost thought she would.

  “Nope, right now my world is a place of chaos, hurt, and well, to be honest, not a whole lot more.”

  “You sound just like my sister. That was her you saw just now. I would have introduced you, but firstly, I don’t know your name, and secondly, she is in a foul mood. Her ex is at their flat picking his stuff up. She caught him cheating; he wasn’t even sorry.”

  “Elizabeth. Elizabeth Bennett, for now at least, but all my friends call me Lizzy. Sorry about your sister: it sucks when you find out everything you believed in was a lie.”

  “Sounds like you have been there. Me, I don’t think I have ever been in love—not sure I even believed in it until recently. I know this sounds crazy, you don’t know me, and only have my word I’m not a psychopath, but would you like to go get something to eat? My car is in the car park and I know a little pub that does great food?”

  She hesitated.

  He got to his feet and offered his hand to pull her up, and before she knew what she was doing, she gave him her hand, and as he helped her up, it was there again…

  The spark she had felt before was stronger this time.

  She put one hand up against his chest to steady herself as she overbalanced and fell towards him, and she could feel his heart was pounding as much as her own.

  “You never told me your name.”

  He smiled as he looked down at her, his whole face lighting up. “Well, Lizzy Bennett, you’re going to laugh, but my name is Darcy.”

  “Darcy? As in Mister Darcy?”

  “Not quite. It’s actually Mr Williams—Darcy Williams. My mum was an Austen fan with a sense of humour. C’mon let’s get food.”

  He picked up her rucksack, and leading her by the hand, took her to his car. As they headed out of town and out into the country roads, she questioned her sanity and judgement in doing this. It would be just her luck that the only time in her life she had done something crazy and impulsive would end in front page headlines of body found in ditch.

  The pub was lovely, and the food was delicious, her fears for her safety allayed by the fact the bar staff knew Darcy.

  After eating, when they got back in the car, he glanced at his watch. “I have to be somewhere. Look, I can either drop you off back at your hotel, or at the harbour first, if you want, or you could come with me; it won’t take long.”

  “I’ll come with you, if you are sure you don’t mind.”

  He smiled at her before turning his gaze back to the road. She could not believe she had just said that. She knew she should ask him to drop her off. She had agreed to go god-knows-where, with a guy she had only just met, but it hadn’t felt like that. While chatting over lunch, they had found so much in common, and if she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn she had known him all her life. It was strange: she had spent only a couple of hours in his company, but the thought of not seeing him again filled her with dread.

  Twenty minutes later, he turned onto a dirt road and her heart began racing until she saw the stables ahead. He pulled up in the yard and turned the engine off.

  “If you wouldn’t mind just waiting here one minute, I promise I’ll be quick.”

  She watched him stride across the yard to what appeared to be the office and greeted the middle-aged woman with a kiss on each cheek. Whatever was said had the woman peer curiously over his shoulder towards the car before they turned and entered one of the stalls. Less than two minutes passed before he came back, opening the passenger door.

  “Okay, you know about the donkeys, well I also take in horses and ponies that have been mistreated. I got a text while we were having lunch to come and look at one to see if I would be willing to take it on. The vet is still in there, so might be a few more minutes, you can either stay here or if you want you can come over, but I should warn you, it can be upsetting.”

  “Okay I’ll come.” She climbed out and followed him to the stall, and he held the door open for her. The first thing she saw were the eyes: big, brown eyes, full of pain and despair, sunk deep in the face of a severely emaciated mare. The vet had his stethoscope pressed against the chest of the beast. He was shaking his head and muttering into a Dictaphone. He clicked it off and turned his attention to the three humans watching him.

  “It might be kinder to put her to sleep now: she’s in a bad way and her heart is weak.”

  “No!” Lizzy’s hand flew to her mouth, shocked by her own outburst. She knew nothing about horses and here she was disagreeing with the vet’s opinion.

  “Don’t worry young lady. I know these two well enough to know that they will not take that option. If anyone can get her healthy, it is that young man there. Miracle worker that one is—likes to prove me wrong.”

  “Now, Steve, you know it is nothing personal.” Darcy was laughing. “But on a serious note, Karen, if you can keep her here and start treatment for a few days, until she is strong enough to move, then I’ll come over with the box and collect her.”

  While the others were speaking, Lizzy had walked over to the horse. She had no idea why, but she identified with this beautiful, wounded creature before her. She did not notice Darcy watching her, or the tears rolling down her cheek as the horse nuzzled against her. Something deep inside resonated with this animal’s suffering: it had been hurt and abused but here she was fighting for survival and risking putting her trust in another person.

  She felt Darcy’s breath against her cheek as he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her back against his chest as his other hand reached out to stroke the horse’s neck.

  “Don’t worry. I will look after you both, and I won’t let anyone hurt either of you again.”

  She spun round to face him, and his lips met hers. The spark she’d felt at the touch of their hands was nothing to this. The world stopped and only they existed. Where one ended and the other began she could no longer say. She had no idea how long they kissed. Time had no meaning.

  When they pulled apart she looked at him. “I came on holiday to escape my life.”

  “No, you came on holiday to find a new one. You just didn’t know it at the time. I have no idea how we make this work, but we both know we want more than a holiday fling. Plus you have to stay now.”

  “Why?”

  “You just made a friend.” He nodded towards the horse, and she glanced over her shoulder. As if on cue, the horse nudged her. She looked back up at him the smile spread wide on her face,

  “Just wait until I tell Jasmine this: she is never going to let me hear the end of it.”

  A
puzzled expression drifted across his face, then she took her friends advice and kissed him.

  Chapter One

  “Come on Alicia!” I called out as I watched her try to juggle all her bags and lock the door at the same time. A better friend would have climbed out of the car and gone over to help her. A better friend. Not me, but a better friend would’ve.

  “Seriously Alicia! We’re only away for two nights. How much stuff can you possibly need?” Claire teased from the driver’s seat as she pumped up the volume, filling the car with crooning 90’s boy bands.

  From my seat in the front of Claire’s bright yellow bug, the one I was now wondering how we were going to fit Alicia and all her crap and Jacinta—who was no doubt tapping her heel waiting for us—into. And Jacinta was the one with all the essentials: tent, sleeping bags and food. Hopefully, she hadn’t forgotten the chocolate and marshmallows. Camping wasn’t worth doing without s’mores.

  Setting her stuff down, Alicia turned to face us and flipped us the bird before disappearing back inside the blue door.

  “What’s she doing?”

  “Who knows? Getting her shoes?”

  “Shoes? Who needs shoes? We’re going to the beach. If you’re not barefoot, you’re not doing it right.”

  “You know Alicia. She’s got a set of shoes for every occasion.”

  “Would you bitches stop talking about me and come help me?”

  I hadn’t even seen her step back outside. I’d been too busy shuffling through the playlist, looking for something a little more modern than flashbacks of a past I’d rather forget. I glanced over at Claire, but she was picking at her nails and didn’t flinch. She wasn’t about to get up and help. It was going to be interesting to see her attempt to camp. While she knew the plan was to sleep on air mattresses on the ground, we’d managed to refrain from giving her all the details: like the lack of amenities and the possibility of wildlife bunking as our next-door neighbours.

  I climbed out and popped the boot. While I played Tetris with the bags, Alicia prattled on about something. I wasn’t really listening. All I could hear was her nasally voice whinging. I wasn’t in the best of moods if I was being honest. I’d tried to get out of coming at least four times in the past two days and even refused to pack until the last minute. I was the queen of procrastination, and today, my crown was especially sparkly.

  Four hours, three-bathroom breaks, two bags of Maltesers and way too many arguments and bitchy comments to count, we made it. My voice was hoarse from the hours of performing I’d done as we wound our way down the mountain. Thank God, Claire had been driving. I wouldn’t have been able to bust out my favourite dance moves if I’d had to drive.

  Our camp ground was about a hundred metres through down the bush trail to the clearing. It might have taken us forever to get there, but I knew that on the other side of the scrub, the view opened to reveal the perfect Aussie beach. Expanses of crystal-clear blue water stretched out as far as the eye could see and appeared to kiss the horizon. But it was the white sand that crunched between your toes that I spent most of my time indulging in. I had big plans for the next three days. It included the eight books I’d downloaded and a tube of sunscreen.

  “We should get everything set up then hit the beach,” I suggested, checking my watch. I hated that we were running so late. I should’ve been in the water hours ago. Alicia complained. Claire rolled her eyes and Jacinta, true to form, just unrolled the tarp and set to work.

  An hour later, I was hot, sweaty and already sick of batting away the huge blow flies that kept trying to land on my sticky skin. I was more than ready to get in the water I could hear lapping at the shore.

  “I’m getting changed and going for a swim. Who’s coming?”

  The usually chatty trio was suddenly silent. What the hell was going on? It felt like we’d been planning this trip forever, and now it was finally time to enjoy it, they were acting like I’d dragged them there kicking and screaming.

  Claire brushed her deep brown curls back off her face before looking up at me from under her fake eyelashes. Why the hell she had fake eyelashes on for a camping trip I’ll never know.

  “I’m going to duck into town and just check out a few things,” she announced nervously. Claire checking out a few things in town meant she was headed for the clothing stores via the nearest coffee shop. Whatever. If that’s what she wanted to do, then go crazy. Jacinta and Alicia could still come with me.

  “I’m going to go with Claire… I mean, if that’s okay with you Claire,” Jacinta mumbled unsure of herself.

  “No worries.”

  Last I heard, Jacinta and Claire tolerated each other but they weren’t exactly besties. It was weird.

  “I need to get some bug spray. And… I forgot my swim suit.”

  Now I was calling bullshit. Jacinta never forgot anything. And for a trip to the beach, there was no way she was coming unprepared and forgetting her swimmers. As tempting as it was to call them out on their newly found BFF status, I couldn’t be bothered starting a fight.

  Giving up a losing battle, I didn’t even ask Alicia. Instead, I crawled into the tent changed into my new bikini that was dying to see some sun and reappeared moments later with my hair piled in a messy bun, wearing a pair of short shorts, tank top and thongs. With my towel under my arm, I settled my glasses over my eyes before asking Alicia if she wanted me to wait for her. Suddenly, her phone wasn’t working. The one she’d been texting on the whole trip down the mountain now suddenly didn’t work. Shock horror! She too needed to head into town.

  “Have a good afternoon ladies,” I threw out over my shoulder as I headed down the path to where the waves were whispering my name.

  “Do you want us to pick you up anything while we’re in town?” Alicia asked anxiously. Looking at my three best friends, I did everything I could to stamp down my disappointment. This weekend was supposed to be about hanging out together. Having fun. Relaxing in the sun. Getting away from all the drama that filled our lives these days. Sadly, it appeared as though someone had packed more than enough to ruin not only my mood, but potentially our weekend.

  Stopping, I turned and faced them. I should’ve known. One look at them and you’d know these girls have never camped before. Claire had on heels, while Alicia wore a long flowy dress. Jacinta was batting her hands about as fast as she could, afraid nature might touch her sensitive skin. Maybe we should’ve just booked a suite somewhere with an ocean view and a hot shower. Might have been easier.

  “Maybe grab a bottle of something nice for tonight?” I suggested. Usually, I wasn’t a big drinker, and I wasn’t convinced that drinking and the thoughts in my head were a good combination, but I knew Jacinta liked a glass or two of bubbles and Claire wasn’t opposed either. Maybe it’d make them more accepting of sleeping on the ground without somewhere to charge their phones.

  “Will do! Enjoy your swim!”

  It took me less than eighty steps before I burst out of the bush and onto the beach. It was better than anything my imagination could dream up. The sand was golden under the bright sun. Then there was the water. It was crystal clear and beyond the breakers, calm and soothing. Quickly, I found a spot high on the shore out of reach of the waves, dumped my stuff and headed in. The second my toes touched the water, I shivered. I’d forgotten how cool the water could be in this part of the world. Ignoring the idea to turn back and stretch out on the sand to dive into a book instead, I pushed forward before diving under an incoming wave.

  Bobbing under the white wash, I swam out to the calmer waters and floated. Just being out there, completely alone as far as the eye could see, helped my frustrations seep away. Maybe if I stayed for a few hours, I’d be completely relaxed again. Lying on my back, I drifted, staring up at the seagulls who circled in the sky before dive bombing the water off in the distance. Wave after wave passed under me. I was perfectly content.

  “You right there?”

  The deep voice shocked me, disrupting my peacefuln
ess, causing me to sink beneath the water only to come up spluttering.

  Pushing the stray, dripping strands out of my eyes, I came face to face with the most captivating blue eyes I’d ever seen. With the sun behind him, his blond hair looked angelic and he had this crooked smile dancing on his kissable lips, which made the butterflies in my stomach stir—something that hadn’t happened in a long time. A very long time.

  “F-f-fine. Where’d you come from anyway?” I managed to splutter as I regained my balance.

  He was sitting on a surfboard, his legs dangling casually over the sides. His low-slung board shorts showed off that delicious V that made smart girls stupid, something I wasn’t immune to. The moment I dropped my palm in his outstretched one, tingles shot up my arm. Ignoring them, I focused on his face, determined to find something wrong with him. No one could be that beautiful. At least, no one should be. Even though he had a few freckles on his cheeks and his nose was slightly crooked, they did nothing to detract from his appeal.

  “I’m Aiden.”

  “Gemma.”

  “What are you doing out here all alone, Gemma?”

  It wasn’t until he asked that I realised how stupid I was. I was bobbing out in the ocean with no one around—no one to save me if I found myself in trouble or to tell me how stupid I was out here with a stranger, who was obviously bigger and stronger than me. The old couple at the other end of the beach, throwing a stick for their black and white dog, weren’t going to be much help.

  “My girlfriends have just gone to grab lunch. They’ll be back any second,” I lied as I put some distance between us, trying to make my way back to shallower waters. If I was going to be staring into this man’s hypnotising eyes, I needed to have my feet on solid ground.

  I don’t know if he picked up just how far I was stretching the truth, but thankfully he didn’t call me out on it. Instead he just paddled towards the shallows.